The Memory Tree: A Holiday Grief Book

From the author and illustrator of The Memory Box, the best-selling children's book about grief, comes a new picture book to help and comfort families celebrating their first holiday season after the loss of a loved one.

Grief is challenging for children and families any time of year, but during Christmas or other family-focused holidays, the death of a loved one can bring especially difficult feelings. In The Memory Tree, a child struggles with the recent loss of a loved one. Holiday lights don't seem to shine as bright, and celebrations don't feel quite as merry. But then she and her family find a way to commemorate their lost loved one: the decoration of a special Memory Tree, which allows them all to process their feelings and make the person a meaningful part of their celebrations. Joanna Rowland's sensitive writing and Thea Baker's beautiful illustrations gently prompt reflections and suggestions for readers to create their own Memory Trees at home.

A grief book and heartwarming Christmas story in one, The Memory Tree provides comfort to grieving families--whether for the first holiday celebrated after the loss of a loved one, or many years later.

Joanna Rowland grew up in Sacramento, California, where she still lives today with her husband and three children. She teaches kindergarten by day and writes picture books at night. In the summer, you'll find her at the pool coaching synchronized swimming or cozying up with a book. She is the author of The Memory Box: A Book about Grief; The Memory Book: A Grief Journal for Children and Families; Stay Through the Storm; When Things Are Hard, Remember; and Big Bear Was Not the Same.

Thea Baker grew up in a country town in England. She is currently living in Australia and working internationally as a children's illustrator. Thea obtained her BA (Hons) Degree in illustration at the prestigious Falmouth University. Her dissertation was on the subject of grief in children's books.